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02/02/2024

OPEN HEAVENS DAILY DEVOTIONAL

DATE: SATURDAY FEBRUARY 3RD 2024

TOPIC: DIFFERENT TYPES OF SONS II

MEMORISE:
“I will be his father, and he shall be my son. If he commit iniquity, I will chasten him with the rod of men, and with the stripes of the children of men.” – (2 Samuel 7:14)

READ: PSALM 84:10-12 (KJV)

10 For a day in thy courts is better than a thousand. I had rather be a doorkeeper in the house of my God, than to dwell in the tents of wickedness.

11 For the LORD God is a sun and shield: the LORD will give grace and glory: no good thing will he withhold from them that walk uprightly.

12 O LORD of hosts, blessed is the man that trusteth in thee.

MESSAGE:

Yesterday, I explained that a son can become so close to the Father that he also becomes a friend of the Father. This is true, however, among friends, there are favourites. From the moment I learnt that it is possible to be a favourite of God, someone from whom God will never hide anything, I decided to get so close to God that I will become His favourite. Do you also want to be God's favourite? You must note that it will cost you something.

Many times, when we talk about how a Christian should behave, dress, and act, some people will say, "God is not that difficult, He is a God of love. Where the Spirit of God is, there is liberty." I always say, "We shouldn't quarrel about it, live your life the way you want to live it. It all depends on how close you want to be to God."

For example, if all you want in life is to become an Office Assistant, then you don't need to attend a higher institution. All you need to know is how to run basic errands, and you will achieve your goal. However, if you want to become a professor, then you will enrol in tertiary institution and burn the midnight oil. I want to be a professor for God, I want to get close to Him, and I want to be His favourite. I don't want to be just a servant of God, I don't want to be just a son, I don't want to be just a friend, I want to be a favourite, and by the grace of God, that is what you will be also, even though it is going to come at a cost.

Becoming one of God's favourites will cost you your time. Those who become God's favourites spend more time with God than they spend with anyone or anything else. Becoming God's favourite will also cost you your appetite. You must be ready to fast like no man's business if you want to draw closer to God than majority of others ever will. It will also cost you material things because you must hate the things of this world and prioritise the kingdom of God. James 4:4 says friendship with the world is enmity with God. Matthew 6:24 further says that you must choose between God and mammon. You must reject mammon to become close to God. Are you willing to pay the price to become God's favourite? I am.

ACTION POINT:
Conduct a sincere audit of your relationship with God and commit to making the required sacrifices to draw closer to Him more than ever before.

BIBLE IN ONE YEAR: LEVITICUS 19-21

AUTHOR PASTOR E A ADEBOYE

HYMNAL: 7 - I AM THINE O LORD

1 I am Thine, O Lord, I have heard Thy voice,
And it told Thy love to me;
But I long to rise in the arms of faith,
And be closer drawn to Thee.
Draw me nearer, nearer, blessed Lord,
To the cross where Thou hast died;
Draw me nearer, nearer, nearer, blessed Lord,
To Thy precious, bleeding side.

2 Consecrate me now to Thy service, Lord,
By the pow’r of grace divine;
Let my soul look up with a steadfast hope,
And my will be lost in Thine.

3 O the pure delight of a single hour
That before Thy throne I spend,
When I kneel in prayer, and with Thee, my God,
I commune as friend with friend!

4 There are depths of love that I yet may know
Ere Thee face to face I see;
There are heights of joy that I yet may reach
Ere I rest in peace with Thee.

30/01/2024

OPEN HEAVENS DAILY DEVOTIONAL

DATE: WEDNESDAY JANUARY 31ST 2024

TOPIC: BECOMING A SON OF GOD 1

MEMORISE:
“And lo a voice from heaven, saying, This is my beloved Son, in whom I am well pleased.” - (Matthew 3:17)

READ: 1 JOHN 3:8-9 (KJV)

8 He that committeth sin is of the devil; for the devil sinneth from the beginning. For this purpose the Son of God was manifested, that he might destroy the works of the devil.

9 Whosoever is born of God doth not commit sin; for his seed remaineth in him: and he cannot sin, because he is born of God.

MESSAGE:
Yesterday, I distinguished clearly between being a son of God and being a servant of God. I am quite sure that you choose to become a son of God rather than a servant. How then can you become a son of God?

Being a son of God requires that you fulfil some obligations. A son is a major stakeholder in whatever the father does. He takes whatever belongs to the father as his because he is not a servant but a son. John 10:12 says that the hireling (servant) will not give his life for the sheep, but Jesus, the Son of God, gave his life for the sheep. In the same vein, you must be ready to spend and be spent for the salvation of men on earth. Nothing must be too hard for you to do so that people will not perish in hell. A servant can see souls perishing and turn the other way, but not a son; a son will go out and preach the gospel to them until they give their lives to Christ and remain steadfast in the Lord. If you are not an incurable soul winner, your sonship is in doubt.

A son resembles his father. It is only what he sees his father do that he does. That is why (1 John 3:9) says:

Whosoever is born of God doth not commit sin; for his seed remaineth in him: and he cannot sin, because he is born of God.

True sons of God hate sin. Don't mind those who tell you that once you have given your life to Christ, you can go ahead and commit sin - they are liars! Real children of God have the seed of God in them, and that seed makes it difficult for them to sin. If they fall into sin, that seed begins to bite them, and they become very sorry for what they have done. They go back to their Father, like any genuine child will do, and plead for forgiveness. Nobody can keep committing sin on purpose and claim to be a son of God - that fellow is a liar. A child that does not resemble his father is called a bastard.

It was recorded that Jesus loved righteousness and hated iniquity (Hebrews 1:8-9). If you are truly a child of God, you will hate sin and love righteousness because of His seed within you.

KEY POINT:
You cannot remain in sin and claim to be a child of God.

BIBLE IN ONE YEAR: LEVITICUS 11-13

AUTHOR PASTOR E A ADEBOYE

HYMNAL: 23 - TAKE MY LIFE, AND LET IT BE

1 Take my life, and let it be
Consecrated, Lord, to Thee;
Take my moments and my days,
Let them flow in ceaseless praise,
Let them flow in ceaseless praise.

2 Take my hands, and let them move
At the impulse of Thy love;
Take my feet and let them be
Swift and beautiful for Thee,
Swift and beautiful for Thee.

3 Take my voice, and let me sing
Always, only, for my King;
Take my lips, and let them be
Filled with messages from Thee,
Filled with messages from Thee.

4 Take my silver and my gold;
Not a mite would I withhold;
Take my intellect, and use
Every power as Thou shalt choose,
Every power as Thou shalt choose.

5 Take my will, and make it Thine;
It shall be no longer mine.
Take my heart; it is Thine own;
It shall be Thy royal throne,
It shall be Thy royal throne.

6 Take my love; my Lord, I pour
At Thy feet its treasure-store.
Take myself, and I will be
Ever, only, all for Thee,
Ever, only, all for Thee.

29/01/2024

OPEN HEAVENS DAILY DEVOTIONAL

DATE: TUESDAY JANUARY 30TH 2024

TOPIC: SERVANT OR SON?

MEMORISE:
“I will be his father, and he shall be my son: and I will not take my mercy away from him, as I took it from him that was before thee.” - (1 Chronicles 17:13)

READ: LUKE 15:11-32 (KJV)

11 And he said, A certain man had two sons:

12 And the younger of them said to his father, Father, give me the portion of goods that falleth to me. And he divided unto them his living.

13 And not many days after the younger son gathered all together, and took his journey into a far country, and there wasted his substance with riotous living.

14 And when he had spent all, there arose a mighty famine in that land; and he began to be in want.

15 And he went and joined himself to a citizen of that country; and he sent him into his fields to feed swine.

16 And he would fain have filled his belly with the husks that the swine did eat: and no man gave unto him.

17 And when he came to himself, he said, How many hired servants of my father's have bread enough and to spare, and I perish with hunger!

18 I will arise and go to my father, and will say unto him, Father, I have sinned against heaven, and before thee,

19 And am no more worthy to be called thy son: make me as one of thy hired servants.

20 And he arose, and came to his father. But when he was yet a great way off, his father saw him, and had compassion, and ran, and fell on his neck, and kissed him.

21 And the son said unto him, Father, I have sinned against heaven, and in thy sight, and am no more worthy to be called thy son.

22 But the father said to his servants, Bring forth the best robe, and put it on him; and put a ring on his hand, and shoes on his feet:

23 And bring hither the fatted calf, and kill it; and let us eat, and be merry:

24 For this my son was dead, and is alive again; he was lost, and is found. And they began to be merry.

25 Now his elder son was in the field: and as he came and drew nigh to the house, he heard musick and dancing.

26 And he called one of the servants, and asked what these things meant.

27 And he said unto him, Thy brother is come; and thy father hath killed the fatted calf, because he hath received him safe and sound.

28 And he was angry, and would not go in: therefore came his father out, and intreated him.

29 And he answering said to his father, Lo, these many years do I serve thee, neither transgressed I at any time thy commandment: and yet thou never gavest me a kid, that I might make merry with my friends:

30 But as soon as this thy son was come, which hath devoured thy living with harlots, thou hast killed for him the fatted calf.

31 And he said unto him, Son, thou art ever with me, and all that I have is thine.

32 It was meet that we should make merry, and be glad: for this thy brother was dead, and is alive again; and was lost, and is found.

MESSAGE:

Whenever I insist that I am not a servant of God, but a son of God, some wonder if there's a difference between children of God and servants of God. Simply put, a son of God has several advantages that a servant of God does not have.

In John 8:35, the Bible says that, unlike a servant, a son abides in the house forever. A servant can resign or be sacked, but a son cannot be sacked. When a father says, "I reject you as my child, I disown you," it is a joke because his blood is running in the child; he can't take the blood away. Hence, a child will always be in the house. The implications of this alone are many. Psalm 23:6, for example, says: "Surely goodness and mercy shall follow me all the days of my life: and I will dwell in the house of the LORD for ever." The one who dwells in the house forever has the assurance that goodness and mercy shall follow him forever. Also, according to Psalm 91:1, "He that dwelleth in the secret place of the Most High shall abide under the shadow of the Almighty."

A servant is always a visitor; he comes into the presence of the master when he is needed and goes out when he is not needed. A son, however, is a dweller; he stays in the house all the time. Furthermore, according to John 5:20, the son sees everything that the father does; the servant does not see everything his master does. There is beauty and joy in knowing what God is doing and being able to see ahead of time what God is going to do. For example, years ago, when problems were brewing, I told those close to me, "Trouble is coming, but at the end of it, somebody is going to laugh," and so it happened because I have the privilege as a son to see what my Father is doing.

There are certain things that can happen to servants that will never happen to children. For example, as good as Job was, God called him "My servant," little wonder God allowed Satan to experiment with him (Job 1:8-12). My Father will never permit the enemy to experiment with my health, resources or anything that concerns me because I am His son.

Tomorrow, by His grace, I will commence a study on how to become a son of God.

KEY POINT:
Being a son of God is superior to just being His servant.

BIBLE IN ONE YEAR: LEVITICUS 8-10

AUTHOR PASTOR E A ADEBOYE

HYMNAL: 27 - WHAT A FRIEND WE HAVE IN JESUS

1 What a Friend we have in Jesus,
All our sins and griefs to bear!
What a privilege to carry
Everything to God in prayer!
O what peace we often forfeit,
O what needless pain we bear,
All because we do not carry
Everything to God in prayer!

2 Have we trials and temptations?
Is there trouble anywhere?
We should never be discouraged,
Take it to the Lord in prayer.
Can we find a friend so faithful
Who will all our sorrows share?
Jesus knows our every weakness,
Take it to the Lord in prayer.

3 Are we weak and heavy-laden,
Cumbered with a load of care?
Precious Savior, still our refuge—
Take it to the Lord in prayer;
Do thy friends despise, forsake thee?
Take it to the Lord in prayer;
In His arms He’ll take and shield thee,
Thou wilt find a solace there.

27/01/2024

OPEN HEAVENS DAILY DEVOTIONAL

DATE: SUNDAY JANUARY 28TH 2024

TOPIC: WHAT IS GOD'S TEMPLE? V

MEMORISE:
“Let us therefore come boldly unto the throne of grace, that we may obtain mercy, and find grace to help in time of need.” - (Hebrews 4:16)

READ: HEBREWS 4:15-16 (KJV)

15 For we have not an high priest which cannot be touched with the feeling of our infirmities; but was in all points tempted like as we are, yet without sin.

16 Let us therefore come boldly unto the throne of grace, that we may obtain mercy, and find grace to help in time of need.

MESSAGE:

God's temple is also a house of grace. Hebrews 4:16 calls the temple the throne of grace. It is the place where you can go and obtain grace and mercy in times of need.

You may be in need of strength and grace to overcome a particular situation; the good news is that the Bible says in (2 Corinthians 12:9) that God's grace is sufficient for you, and His strength is made perfect in your weakness. You receive this sufficient grace when you come into His temple. People who go to the occult for power know that they have to keep visiting the shrine regularly to renew their powers. The devil only tries to copy God's methods; we who own the original must also always go to the temple of God to keep renewing our strength and receive fresh grace to surmount challenges that we may be faced with daily.

There are people who, when they have committed a sin, avoid going to church because they feel dirty - that is wrong. At that point, they need the mercy of God and where they can get it is at His throne of grace. That is the time they need to be in church the most. When you get to His throne of grace, go in humility. Even if you are a worker, don't try to keep up an appearance; tell God you have erred and that you are sincerely sorry. Tell Him to please have mercy on you.

Many people go to the temple and keep up appearances like the Pharisee in Luke 18:10-14, while some others go in like the Publican in the same passage. This is why many people keep going to church and are yet filled with so much junk within them. Even if you are the pastor of the church, when you are before the throne of grace and in need of mercy, don't put up a false appearance of piety; go before God pleading for mercy.

The devil knows that you can always access mercy and grace in the presence of God, so he will do everything he can to discourage you from coming unto Him. He used to have that privilege of being in God's presence, but he lost it when iniquity was found in him (Ezekiel 28:14-16), and of course, he does not want you to enjoy what he has lost.

Beloved, don't let anything keep you away from coming into God's presence to access his mercy and grace.

KEY POINT:
Go to the house of God in humility so you can receive grace and mercy from the throne of grace.

BIBLE IN ONE YEAR: LEVITICUS 1-4

AUTHOR PASTOR E A ADEBOYE

HYMNAL: 2 - AMAZING GRACE

1 Amazing grace! how sweet the sound,
That saved a wretch; like me!
I once was lost, but now am found,
Was blind, but now I see.

2 ’Twas grace that taught my heart to fear,
And grace my fears relieved;
How precious did that grace appear
The hour I first believed!

3 The Lord hath promised good to me,
His word my hope secures;
He will my shield and portion be
As long as life endures.

4 When we’ve been there ten thousand years,
Bright shining as the sun,
We’ve no less days to sing God’s praise
Than when we first begun.

26/01/2024

HOUSE FELLOWSHIP LEADERS' MANUAL

SUNDAY JANUARY 28TH 2024

LESSON TWENTY TWO (22)

TOPIC: THE MIND OF CHRIST

OPENING PRAYER: Father, possess my heart with heavenly thoughts and treasures.

PREVIOUS KNOWLEDGE: Leader should remind members that they should be possessed with the WORD and intentionally avoid distractions.

MEMORY VERSE: "Let this mind be in you which was also in Christ Jesus". Phil. 2:5

BIBLE TEXT: JOHN 4:31-34

31 In the mean while his disciples prayed him, saying, Master, eat.

32 But he said unto them, I have meat to eat that ye know not of.

33 Therefore said the disciples one to another, Hath any man brought him ought to eat?

34 Jesus saith unto them, My meat is to do the will of him that sent me, and to finish his work.

LESSON INTRODUCTION: The mind of Christ is the divine ability to be aware of happenings, to focus one's thoughts and proffer solutions to human challenges. In Luke 7:11-15, there was a funeral procession of a young man, the only child of a widow, Jesus knew that this woman needed immediate intervention which He provided by bringing her child back to life. That is the mind to help and to bear burdens.

LESSON AIM: To explain to members the need for them to have the mind of Christ that inclines to people's sufferings and agitations.

TEACHING OBJECTIVES: At the end of the lesson, members should be able to know:
* what the mind of Christ is.
* how believers' mind have to be renewed.

TEXT REVIEW: John 4:31-34
a. Believers ought to understand the urgency of divine assignments.
b. Doing God's will must be our daily target.
c. Know that the harvest is ripe but labourers are few.

LESSON OUTLINE ONE
THE MIND OF CHRIST
Every believer's attitude should be the same that Christ Jesus had. Our purpose of living must be channeled towards Christ's mandate,
The Mind of Christ is the mind of;

i. compassion towards people - Luke 7:14.

ii. bearing other's burden - Galatians 6:2.

iii. rescuing people from suffering and pain - Matt. 8:1-3; Mark 5:30-34; Jn. 5:5-9.

iv. restoring wasted years - Joel 2:28.

v. effecting believers' dominion over evil powers - Col. 2:14-15; Luke 10:19.

vi. seeing believers through the journey of life - Heb. 13:5; John 14:16.

vii. establishing His covenant with the believers - Ezekiel 16:60.

viii. paying of a costly price to effect believer's freedom-1 Cor.6:20, 7:23.

LESSON OUTLINE TWO
HOW DO YOU RENEW YOUR MIND?
To renew means to make new again, to restore to original condition, to begin afresh. To renew your mind, you have to;

1. be born again - John 3:16.

2. crucify the old nature - II Corinthians 5:17; Galatians 2:20.

3. disconnect yourself totally from worldly things - Philippians 2:15.

4. quit worldly behaviour and customs - Romans 12:2.

5. be transformed by changing the way you think and have a godly lifestyle.

6. study the Word of God-II Timothy 2:15.

7. make new friends - Ephesians 5:11.

ACTIVITY: Members should mention those things required to renew one's mind.

SUMMARY: Renewal of mind starts with daily communion with God through study of the scripture, fellowship with other believers and total cleansing with the shed blood at Calvary.

CONCLUSION: "Awake, awake, put on thy strength, O Zion; put on thy beautiful garments, O Jerusalem, the Holy City: for henceforth there shall no more come into thee uncircumcised and the unclean" Isaiah 52:1

PRAYER POINTS:

1. Father, please help us to have the mind of Christ always.

2. Awake my glory, no more shame for me in Jesus name.

3. Everything that is dried in my life is terminated now.

4. Father, let every effort of enemy against our lives be terminated.

5. Father, lead me to the source of my breakthroughs this week Father, please, renew my mind in Jesus name.

GOLDEN DIET FOR THE WEEK

MONDAY: Read and meditate on Romans 12:1-2.
TUESDAY: Show compassion and kindness to someone today.
WEDNESDAY: The Lord hath been mindful of us, He will bless us - Psalms 115:12.
THURSDAY: Read and meditate on Col. 3:12.
FRIDAY: To be spiritually minded is life and peace - Romans 8:6
SATURDAY: Because the carnal mind is enmity against God Rom. 8:7.
SUNDAY NDAY: Thy words were found, and I did eat them - Jer. 15:16

26/01/2024

RCCG SUNDAY SCHOOL STUDENT’S MANUAL

LESSON: TWENTY-TWO (22)

DATE: SUNDAY JANUARY 28TH 2024

TOPIC: MODERN-DAY IDOLATRY

SUNDAY SCHOOL HYMN

1. O Sunday School, on the Lord's day,
O how I love Thee well,
I am happy, it makes me glad
To rejoice at Thy birth.

2. O Sunday School, on the Lord's day,
Thy friend friendship suits me well,
Both young and will sing Thy song,
We long for Sunday School.

3. O Sunday School, on the Lord's day,
Christ was Thy first teacher,
The Holy Spirit, great teacher,
Does manifest in thee.

4. O Sunday School, on the Lord's day,
This testimony is sure,
That God, the Father Almighty,
Poured His blessing on Thee

5. O Sunday School, on the Lord's day,
Though the sun be so bright,
Or if the clouds be black with rain,
I'll be in Sunday School.

6. O Sunday School, on the Lord's day
I rejoice to see Thee,
Will thou pass over me today?
Without my being blest?

MEMORY VERSE: "Jesus said unto him, Thou shalt love the Lord thy God with all thy heart, and with all thy soul, and with all thy mind". – Matthew 22:37

BIBLE PASSAGE: Exodus 20:3-5

3 Thou shalt have no other gods before me.

4 Thou shalt not make unto thee any graven image, or any likeness of any thing that is in heaven above, or that is in the earth beneath, or that is in the water under the earth.

5 Thou shalt not bow down thyself to them, nor serve them: for I the LORD thy God am a jealous God, visiting the iniquity of the fathers upon the children unto the third and fourth generation of them that hate me;

INTRODUCTION
An idol is anything that replaces the one and only true God in our lives. It can be anything that appeals to our own heart more than God does, and anything that takes a significant amount of our time leaving us with little or no time to spend with him. While the Scripture condemns idolatry in strong terms (Jer. 25:6), many Christians engage in idol worship today without knowing it.

LESSON OUTLINES
1. FORMS OF MODERN-DAY IDOLATRY
2. CONSEQUENCES OF MODERN-DAY IDOLATRY

FORMS OF MODERN-DAY IDOLATRY

Unlike the past, where idol worship is bowed down to statues and object typical of pagans in many cultures, modern-day idol worship is expected through various insatiable pursuits and cravings of man, driven by his sinful nature. These shift all attention to man, leaving God out of the equation (Isa. 42:8). It is also expressed by portraying and painting God contrary to sound and total biblical precepts but revealing Him to suit personal values and ideologies (2Tim. 4:3). Quite often, modern-day idolatry takes the form of:
1. Self-worship - expressed through aggressive pursuit and realization of goals and dreams in which God is excluded.

2. Materialism - great or excessive regard for worldly possession (1Cor. 7:31).

3. Pride and Ego - which often takes the form of obsession with career/business to increase social status (Eccl. 2:21-23; Prov. 8:13).

4. Idolising fellow humans - reverencing renowned individuals above God e.g. music stars/actors, footballers, ministers of God, politicians, spouses, etc.

5. Naturalism and the power of science - this clings to the illusion that man is the Lord of his world due to scientific and technological breakthroughs (2Pet. 3:10-13).

6. Self-indulgence - through alcohol, drugs, excessive watching of TV, excessive and abnormal use of social media, clubbing, and gambling among other things (1Cor. 10:31).

CONSEQUENCES OF MODERN-DAY IDOLATRY

1. Deviation from the laws and teachings of the Lord (2Tim. 4:3-4).

2. Loss of zeal for the things of God (2Tim. 4:10).

3. Generation departure from God (Hoses 4:17).

4. Eternal separation from God (1Sam. 2:29-36).

5. Incurring a divine curse (Dan. 4:30-33).

CONCLUSION
Self-worship is the basis of all modern-day idolatry. It is a lifelong battle in Christian life that must be resisted (Eph. 6:11; 2Tim. 2:3-4).

QUESTION
1. Mention at least five form of modern-day idolatry.
2. What are the consequences of modern-day idolatry?

26/01/2024

RCCG SUNDAY SCHOOL TEACHER'S MANUAL

LESSON: TWENTY-TWO (22)

DATE: SUNDAY JANUARY 28TH 2024

TOPIC: MODERN-DAY IDOLATRY

SUNDAY SCHOOL HYMN

1. O Sunday School, on the Lord's day,
O how I love Thee well,
I am happy, it makes me glad
To rejoice at Thy birth.

2. O Sunday School, on the Lord's day,
Thy friend friendship suits me well,
Both young and will sing Thy song,
We long for Sunday School.

3. O Sunday School, on the Lord's day,
Christ was Thy first teacher,
The Holy Spirit, great teacher,
Does manifest in thee.

4. O Sunday School, on the Lord's day,
This testimony is sure,
That God, the Father Almighty,
Poured His blessing on Thee

5. O Sunday School, on the Lord's day,
Though the sun be so bright,
Or if the clouds be black with rain,
I'll be in Sunday School.

6. O Sunday School, on the Lord's day
I rejoice to see Thee,
Will thou pass over me today?
Without my being blest?

OPENING PRAYER
Father, open my heart to know everything that constitutes idolatry through this teaching in Jesus name.

MEMORY VERSE: "Jesus said unto him, Thou shalt love the Lord thy God with all thy heart, and with all thy soul, and with all thy mind". – Matthew 22:37

BIBLE PASSAGE: Exodus 20:3-5

3 Thou shalt have no other gods before me.

4 Thou shalt not make unto thee any graven image, or any likeness of any thing that is in heaven above, or that is in the earth beneath, or that is in the water under the earth.

5 Thou shalt not bow down thyself to them, nor serve them: for I the LORD thy God am a jealous God, visiting the iniquity of the fathers upon the children unto the third and fourth generation of them that hate me;

INTRODUCTION
An idol is anything that replaces the one and only true God in our lives. It can be anything that appeals to our own heart more than God does, and anything that takes a significant amount of our time leaving us with little or no time to spend with him. While the Scripture condemns idolatry in strong terms (Jer. 25:6), many Christians engage in idol worship today without knowing it.

TEXT REVIEW: Exodus 20:3-5
This scripture spell out certain commandment God gave the children of Israel on their way to Canaan.
i. Thou shall have no other God before me. V3.
ii. Thou shall ............ V4.
iii. Thou shall not .......... V5.

LESSON OUTLINES
1. FORMS OF MODERN-DAY IDOLATRY
2. CONSEQUENCES OF MODERN-DAY IDOLATRY

FORMS OF MODERN-DAY IDOLATRY

A. Unlike the past, where idol worship is bowed down to statues and object typical of pagans in many cultures, modern-day idol worship is expected through various insatiable pursuits and cravings of man, driven by his sinful nature.

i. These shift all attention to man, leaving God out of the equation (Isa. 42:8).

ii. It is also expressed by portraying and painting God contrary to sound and total biblical precepts but revealing Him to suit personal values and ideologies (2Tim. 4:3).

B. Quite often, modern-day idolatry takes the form of:
i. Self-worship - expressed through aggressive pursuit and realization of goals and dreams in which God is excluded.

ii. Materialism - great or excessive regard for worldly possession (1Cor. 7:31).

iii. Pride and Ego - which often takes the form of obsession with career/business to increase social status (Eccl. 2:21-23; Prov. 8:13).

iv. Idolising fellow humans - reverencing renowned individuals above God e.g. music stars/actors, footballers, ministers of God, politicians, spouses, etc.

v. Naturalism and the power of science - this clings to the illusion that man is the Lord of his world due to scientific and technological breakthroughs (2Pet. 3:10-13).

vi. Self-indulgence - through alcohol, drugs, excessive watching of TV, excessive and abnormal use of social media, clubbing, and gambling among other things (1Cor. 10:31).

CLASS ACTIVITY 1
From your understanding of modern-day idolatry mention other forms of present-day idolatry not in the aforementioned.

CONSEQUENCES OF MODERN-DAY IDOLATRY

The teacher should explain the consequences of modern-day idolatry as follows:

1. Deviation from the laws and teachings of the Lord (2Tim. 4:3-4).

2. Loss of zeal for the things of God (2Tim. 4:10).

3. Generation departure from God (Hoses 4:17).

4. Eternal separation from God (1Sam. 2:29-36).

5. Incurring a divine curse (Dan. 4:30-33).

CLASS ACTIVITY 2
Student should share with the class the consequences suffered from any form of idolatry they engaged in.

CONCLUSION
Self-worship is the basis of all modern-day idolatry. It is a lifelong battle in Christian life that must be resisted (Eph. 6:11; 2Tim. 2:3-4).

CLOSING PRAYER
Father, deliver me from every form of idolatry in Jesus name.

ASSIGNMENT
Mention five ways of avoiding modern-day idolatry*(2×5=10 Marks)*

26/01/2024

OPEN HEAVENS 2024 DEVOTIONAL

DATE: SATURDAY JANUARY 27TH 2024

TOPIC: WHAT IS GOD'S TEMPLE? IV

MEMORISE:
“And Hilkiah the high priest said unto Shaphan the scribe, I have found the book of the law in the house of the LORD. And Hilkiah gave the book to Shaphan, and he read it.” - (2 Kings 22:8)

READ: 2 KINGS 22:8-11 (KJV)

8 And Hilkiah the high priest said unto Shaphan the scribe, I have found the book of the law in the house of the LORD. And Hilkiah gave the book to Shaphan, and he read it.

9 And Shaphan the scribe came to the king, and brought the king word again, and said, Thy servants have gathered the money that was found in the house, and have delivered it into the hand of them that do the work, that have the oversight of the house of the LORD.

10 And Shaphan the scribe shewed the king, saying, Hilkiah the priest hath delivered me a book. And Shaphan read it before the king.

11 And it came to pass, when the king had heard the words of the book of the law, that he rent his clothes.

MESSAGE:

God's temple is also the house of knowledge; it is a house of education. In Psalm 27:4, David made it clear:

One thing have I desired of the LORD, that will I seek after; that I may dwell in the house of the LORD all the days of my life, to behold the beauty of the LORD, and to enquire in his temple.

In the house of the Lord, you can behold the beauty of the Almighty God. However, David went on to say that he not only wants to behold God's beauty, but he also wants to be there to enquire of Him. In other words, if you have any questions for God, bring them to His temple; come and ask Him in the temple.

When you come into His temple, you will receive revelations; He will begin to tell you certain things that you will not learn at home. This is why you must always go to church with your writing materials. It is a place to go and learn new things and get new perspectives. There have been many times that I was confused about a matter, but while listening to the word of God, light will begin to shine on the matter, and I will receive revelations on how to resolve the situation. This is why the psalmist said:

Thy word is a lamp unto my feet, and a light unto my path. - Psalm 119:105.

The house of God is a place where you go to hear the word of God, and in that word is great knowledge and wisdom that you cannot get anywhere else. So, whether you need revelation for business, family issues, ministry, health or any other field of life, you will get it in the house of God. Those who regularly go to a church where the undiluted word of God is taught don't stay confused for long.

You may, however, then ask, "How do I know if the word being taught in my church is genuine and undiluted?" You will have to emulate the Berean Christians who always returned to their homes to search the Scriptures to verify what they had been taught in church (Acts 17:10-11).

As long as you remain in the environment where the undiluted and genuine word of God is preached, knowledge and wisdom will be available to you.

ACTION POINT:
Always attend church services with your writing materials, and be expectant to receive new knowledge and revelation from God.

BIBLE IN ONE YEAR: EXODUS 38-40

AUTHOR PASTOR E A ADEBOYE

HYMNAL: 3 - ANCIENT WORDS

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